Environment

Forest fires in Indonesia are sending smoke and haze toward Singapore just as the city prepares to host its Formula One Grand Prix. Race organisers are drawing up contingency plans in case air quality deteriorates further, with the regional haze posing a threat to one of the country's biggest sporting events, according to Al Jazeera reporting from the region.

Singapore's national water agency PUB has urged the public to avoid several areas in the city-state due to flash flood risks. The advisory follows heavy rainfall affecting parts of the island, with the agency warning people to stay clear of flood-prone locations for their safety. Updates on affected areas are being circulated widely as residents check conditions during the wet weather.

Donald Trump has touted an oil deal with Venezuela as the biggest in world history, but reporting points to major obstacles. The arrangement faces legal challenges and logistical problems, with questions over whether it can actually be implemented. Observers are questioning the scale of the claims and the feasibility of the agreement between Washington and Caracas.

A wave of cooling is moving into Siberia, with forecasters warning that the last weekend of September will bring temperatures of up to +7°C and rain to Krasnoyarsk. The abrupt end to the mild weather is drawing attention as residents prepare for autumn's first real chill and discuss the sharp temperature drop.

A new Guardian documentary, 'Prison Letters', follows Max, a 14-year-old struggling with climate anxiety, as he writes letters to climate activists who have been imprisoned for direct action. The film traces his search for hope and his quest to understand the human stories behind protest movements and why so many climate demonstrators have served time in prison.

A powerful nor'easter is battering the US East Coast, producing significant coastal flooding along the shores of New York and New Jersey. Both states have declared states of emergency as officials urge residents to avoid flooded roads and coastal areas. Heavy rain, strong winds and rising tides are expected to continue, with communities along the seaboard bracing for further disruption.

A powerful typhoon has struck Japan, with authorities issuing evacuation orders or advisories to nearly two million residents as the storm brings heavy rain and damaging winds. Coverage focuses on evacuation zones, transport disruption and the risk of flooding and landslides, with officials urging people in vulnerable areas to move to safety.

New York and New Jersey have declared states of emergency as a Nor'easter storm moves through the region, forcing the cancellation of events across both states. Officials are urging residents to stay off the roads as heavy snow, coastal flooding and strong winds disrupt travel and daily life, with conditions expected to worsen before the storm passes.

Warnings are circulating that a possible super El Nino event, amplified by global warming, could put as many as 450,000 lives at risk. The claim, highlighted in Marathi-language news coverage, links the intensifying El Nino pattern to deadly heatwaves, droughts and crop failures. Commenters are debating how far climate change is making these warming episodes stronger and more dangerous for vulnerable populations.

A powerful Nor'easter is set to strike the US East Coast, bringing heavy rainfall, coastal flooding and significant beach erosion. Forecasters warn that strong onshore winds and prolonged precipitation could cause dangerous conditions in coastal communities as the storm moves up the seaboard. Residents in affected areas are being urged to monitor warnings and prepare for possible flooding and property damage.

Firefighters in Emerald Isle, North Carolina are responding to an active structure fire on Ocean Drive, according to local officials. Details about injuries, the extent of the damage, or what caused the blaze have not yet been released as crews work at the scene.

A powerful storm is sweeping through the northeastern United States, causing significant flooding and widespread power outages. Heavy rain and strong winds have disrupted communities across the region, with utility crews working to restore electricity. News outlets are tracking the storm's progress as residents brace for further impacts and local authorities respond to damaged and waterlogged areas.

Winemakers worldwide are adopting new strategies to cope with climate change, which is altering growing seasons, harvest times and grape quality in traditional wine regions. Reported approaches include shifting to more resilient grape varieties, moving plantings to cooler altitudes and latitudes, changing vineyard management techniques and experimenting with new irrigation and shading methods. The story highlights how a sector closely tied to stable weather patterns is being forced to adapt its centuries-old practices.

Al Jazeera is reporting that climate change is redrawing coastlines, warning that rising sea levels pose a growing threat to coastal cities around the world. The coverage highlights how flooding, erosion and land loss are expected to displace communities and strain infrastructure in low-lying urban areas as warming oceans continue to expand and ice sheets melt.

Palm Beach County, Florida — Donald Trump's home county — has placed a moratorium on new data center projects, citing worries about environmental impacts and rising electricity bills for residents. The decision comes as communities across the United States grapple with the rapid growth of energy-hungry data centers fuelled by the AI boom, with local officials weighing economic benefits against costs to ratepayers and natural resources.

The European Union is moving to restrict the energy and water use of data centres, as the sector's rapid growth strains power grids and water supplies across the bloc. The proposal targets the booming infrastructure behind cloud computing and artificial intelligence, and is drawing debate about how far regulators should go in limiting an industry seen as key to Europe's digital economy.

A letter to the editor published in Mountain Xpress calls on readers to speak up in support of the Roadless Rule, arguing the policy is needed to protect wildlife habitats from road construction in national forests. The piece adds to ongoing public debate in the United States over whether roadless-area protections should be maintained, weakened or repealed.

A nor'easter is moving through the region today, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and coastal flooding to communities along the shore. Residents are being warned of hazardous conditions, with the potential for downed trees, power outages, and flooded roads. Local outlets are urging people to avoid coastal areas and take precautions as the storm intensifies through the day.

Researchers are calling on organisers of the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, to use the Games as a catalyst for improving the region's air quality. Utah's valleys regularly suffer from pollution-trapping inversions, and scientists argue the Olympic spotlight should be leveraged to push for lasting clean-air policies rather than short-term measures.

Germany has committed for the first time to phasing out fossil fuels, setting a target date of 2045. The pledge marks a significant shift in the country's climate policy and is being widely discussed as one of the most ambitious timelines among major industrial economies, drawing attention to how Europe's largest economy plans to overhaul its energy system.

Island nations facing rising seas and intensifying storms say they will not abandon their fight against climate change, despite mounting setbacks. Leaders and residents of low-lying states are pressing for stronger global action on emissions and climate finance as their homelands face existential threats from warming oceans and coastal erosion.

Representative Tom Barrett and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin visited Mid-Michigan to highlight efforts around reliable energy and environmental protection. The pair emphasized federal and local work to balance affordable, dependable power with environmental safeguards, drawing attention to energy policy priorities in the region.

California has declared a state of emergency covering the entire state as officials prepare for a strong El Niño forecast to bring heavy rain, flooding and storms. The declaration allows agencies to mobilise resources, pre-position equipment and respond quickly as conditions deteriorate. News coverage across the state is drawing wide attention as residents brace for severe winter weather.

Hurricane Polo has intensified into a major Category 3 storm while moving along Mexico's Pacific coast, with forecasters tracking its projected path. News outlets are publishing updates and tracking maps as residents and authorities in potentially affected coastal areas monitor the hurricane's strength and trajectory closely.

The Pacific Ocean is currently experiencing a cluster of hurricane activity, with The Atlantic reporting that the basin has become unusually crowded with storms. Multiple simultaneous hurricanes in the region raise concerns about potential impacts on coastal communities, shipping and Pacific island nations, and underscore broader questions about storm season intensity and ocean conditions.

An approaching storm on the US East Coast has led sports leagues and organizers to postpone or cancel scheduled events across the region. Teams and venues have adjusted calendars as conditions are expected to disrupt travel and outdoor competition. The Athletic reports the changes are spread across multiple sports throughout the affected area.

A powerful nor'easter is moving through the Bronx, bringing strong winds, heavy rain and street flooding to the New York borough. News 12 Bronx is providing live updates on the storm's progress and its impact on residents, travel and local conditions as the weather system intensifies across the region.

A major battery storage facility is being built in Waltrop, Germany, at a cost of around 500 million euros. The project would use 800 containers of lithium batteries to store up to 1,800 megawatt-hours of electricity and deliver up to 900 megawatts of power, allowing surplus wind and solar energy to be fed into the grid. It is being discussed as an example of Germany's push to expand grid-scale storage for renewable energy.

An approaching storm along the US East Coast has led sports leagues and organisers to postpone or cancel events throughout the region. The New York Times reports that games and competitions are being moved or called off as conditions threaten venues and travel. Fans and teams are adjusting schedules as the region prepares for severe weather.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for Kern County as a powerful El Niño-driven storm approaches the region. The declaration allows state resources to be deployed quickly to Bakersfield and surrounding communities. Local outlets in Bakersfield are urging residents to prepare for heavy rain, flooding and strong winds as the storm moves in.

Southern California is preparing for the effects of Hurricane Polo, with forecasters warning of potential rain, flooding and coastal impacts across the region. Emergency officials are urging residents to stay updated on alerts as the storm moves along the Pacific coast, though the exact track and severity remain uncertain.

Powerful storms are striking opposite sides of the United States at the same time, and forecasters point to El Niño as the driving force. The climate pattern, marked by warmer Pacific waters, is reshaping jet stream paths and steering severe weather toward both the West and East coasts, prompting warnings and preparedness efforts nationwide.

A new player has emerged in the growing conflict over siting solar farms on agricultural land, according to Politico. The dispute pits renewable energy developers seeking open space for large-scale solar projects against farmers and rural communities concerned about losing productive farmland. The identity and motives of this unlikely influential figure are drawing attention as the battle over land use and clean energy intensifies across rural areas.

A powerful nor'easter storm is battering the northeastern United States, bringing heavy snow, strong winds and coastal flooding. Hundreds of flights have been canceled as airports work to clear runways and de-ice aircraft. Travelers are being warned of continued disruption, and officials are urging residents to stay off the roads as conditions remain hazardous across the region.

A powerful storm struck the northeastern United States, forcing airlines to cancel flights and leaving large numbers of residents without electricity. The storm brought damaging winds and heavy precipitation across the region, with utility crews working to restore outages and travelers facing significant delays. Coverage of the disruption has drawn broad attention as the region assesses the damage.

A coastal storm has damaged or destroyed the ADA-accessible ramp at Ocean View Park in Norfolk, Virginia, knocking out a key access point for visitors with disabilities. The storm's impact on the beachfront park has drawn attention locally, with residents and accessibility advocates concerned about when the ramp will be repaired and what the damage means for public access to the waterfront.

Climate discussions in New York are being reshaped by two converging pressures: rising energy costs and the surging power demand from artificial intelligence infrastructure. Commentators note that the growing electricity needs of data centres are complicating emissions goals and forcing policymakers to rethink how climate commitments and energy affordability can be balanced in the years ahead.

Supporters of ending the US roadless rule argue it would let land managers build roads that help fight forest fires and improve wildlife access to habitats. Critics have long warned that opening protected roadless areas to development could harm ecosystems, making the proposal a flashpoint in forest policy debates.

Researchers report the first direct radio signal detected from a planet outside the solar system, a milestone in the search for worlds beyond our own. The detection, picked up by astronomers studying distant planetary systems, could open a new way to study exoplanets' magnetic fields and potential habitability. Scientists caution that more observations are needed to confirm the signal's origin.

Hurricane Nolo is bearing down on Hawaii, with forecasters warning of powerful winds and flash flooding as the storm approaches the islands. Residents are being told to prepare for dangerous conditions, including potential damage from high winds and rapid flooding in low-lying areas. The storm is drawing wide attention as Hawaii rarely faces direct hurricane threats.

A storm hit Connecticut, causing flooding and power outages across the state. Local outlets including WFSB are reporting on the damage and utility crews' restoration efforts. Residents are sharing reports of waterlogged roads and darkened neighbourhoods as conditions develop.

The Pope has celebrated a large open-air Mass in Paris during a landmark visit to France, drawing crowds in the French capital. The trip is being closely watched as a significant moment for the Catholic Church's relationship with France, though further details of the visit and reactions to it remain limited in available reports.